A measles epidemic will sweep the region if parents continue to turn their back on the MMR jab, health chiefs have warned.

New figures reveal uptake of the controversial vaccination has plummeted to new lows in recent months over fears that it is linked to autism and bowel disorders.

Although the average jab rate among five-year-olds in the region is 92 per cent, the rate among two-year-olds has plummeted to 82 per cent in some areas, lower than the national average of 84 per cent, and down four per cent on last year.

Now public health fear there is a real threat of an outbreak of the disease which can kill. They are urging parents to have faith in the jab.

Dr John Woodhouse, deputy regional director of public health, said: "The situation is now starting to look really alarming and unless it is addressed a death is a very real possibility."

Mother-of-four Anna Ward lost her son 22 years after he first contracted measles. Christopher Ward was 11 months old when he contracted the virus three months before he was due to have his routine inoculation.

After nursing their baby son through the illness, Anna and husband Ivor, who have a farm near Edmundbyers in Co Durham, believed they had seen the worst of its effects.

However, just before his 21st birthday Christopher was struck with what was believed to be the first stages of a nervous breakdown.

It took doctors a year to pinpoint that the dormant measles virus was to blame. He lost his sight and use of his limbs and suffered brain damage before his death on his 23rd birthday.

Mrs Ward said: "I am a firm believer in the MMR and would say to every parent please get your children inoculated."